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Schwarzer's Fulham departure confirmed

Fulham have confirmed that they will not be renewing the contract of Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who has now left the club.

Fulham have confirmed that they will not be renewing the contract of Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who has now left the club.

Schwarzer, 40, made 219 appearances for Fulham in five seasons after joining from Middlesbrough on a free transfer.

But the shot-stopper - who is the first player from outside the United Kingdom to notch 500 Premier League appearances - was told his contract would not be renewed at Fulham with a guarantee of playing first-team football.

That was at the top of the Australian's list of demands and as a result he has left the club, with the player announcing as much last month.

Fulham confirmed his departure on Monday though, with a statement on their official website that thanked Schwarzer - who has been linked with a switch to Premier League club Hull City - for his efforts at Craven Cottage.

"Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was signed on a free transfer in 2008 after more than a decade at Middlesbrough and became a virtual ever-present in the side as our established number one," it read.

"The stopper made his 500th top-flight appearance against Arsenal last season and, in doing so, became the first overseas player to reach that milestone.

"Schwarzer made his Fulham debut against Hull City and played every minute of the 2008/09 campaign to pick up the Club's Player of the Year award at the end of his first season.

"Playing a huge role in our run to the UEFA Europa League Final in 2010, he became a Cottage favourite and made three penalty saves last season - most notably in the 3-3 draw at the Emirates against Arsenal."